The survey also finds that Floridians oppose 55 - 39 percent a state law that prohibits
homosexuals from adopting children. Republicans support the law 52 - 43 percent, as do White
Evangelical Christians 58 - 37 percent. Democrats oppose the law 61 - 32 percent, along with
independent voters 60 - 34 percent.

Gays should be allowed to marry, 27 percent of voters say, while 35 percent favor civil
unions but not marriage and 31 percent say there should be no legal recognition of gay unions.

The Bright Futures program, funded by proceeds from the state lottery, has grown
dramatically in recent years. It pays up to 100 percent of tuition and fees at any public university
in Florida for students who qualify based on their high school grades and test scores.

"There may be a lot of opinion leaders talking about the need to reign in Bright Futures
because of its cost in these times of tight budgets, but it is hard to imagine a less popular idea for
cuts with the voting public," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University
Polling Institute.

"When 85 percent of voters think the program is a good thing and more than three out of
four oppose cutting its funding, that pretty much makes it a political non-starter," Brown added.
"Even Republicans opposed cuts by almost 4 - 1."

Voters oppose 54 - 32 percent trying to save money by raising test and grade standards
so fewer students receive the scholarships. By a smaller 50 - 42 percent margin, voters oppose
giving the scholarships only to students whose family income is below a certain level.

Smokers are the only group opposed to the possible cigarette tax hike, 64 - 34 percent.
There is little difference among Republicans, Democrats and independents on the question.
When voters are then asked the same question and told the money would go for public health
programs, support rises slightly to 77 - 21 percent.

Looking at the possible effects of a cigarette tax hike, Florida voters say:

65 percent that it would be "very effective" or "somewhat effective" in discouraging
young people from smoking;

50 percent that it would be "very effective" or "somewhat effective" in reducing smoking
among current smokers;

58 percent that it would be "very effective" or "somewhat effective" in reducing state
costs for medical care.

And 49 percent of smokers say they would cut down or quit if taxes are raised.

"Voters generally are opposed to raising taxes, even in order to balance the budget, but
they seem to make an exception for cigarette taxes," said Brown. "Given the public support,
even normally anti-tax lawmakers might see this as a politically acceptable notion to the voting
public.

"Interestingly, the public is split on whether raising cigarette taxes will lead to fewer
people smoking, although they think it would be effective in reducing smoking among young
people," Brown said. "They do think, however, it might reduce the state's medical costs. Voters
don't see hiking cigarette taxes as unfair to smokers; they seem to view it as a user fee."

From January 14 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,370 Florida voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.

24. How much have you heard or read about Florida's lottery funded college
scholarship program called Bright Futures - A lot, some, not much or nothing
at all?

25. As you may be aware, the merit based Bright Futures program helps pay
college tuition for Florida students who meet required high school grades and
S.A.T. test scores. Do you think the Bright Futures scholarship program is a
good thing or a bad thing for Florida?

27. To help lower the cost of the Bright Futures Scholarship program Do you
support or oppose - Raising the required level of high school grades and S.A.T.
test scores so that fewer students would qualify for scholarship money?

30. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should
be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed
to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry,
should be allowed legally to form civil unions, but not marry, or should not
be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

32. Florida's cigarette tax is now 34 cents a pack. Some legislators and public
health groups are suggesting raising the cigarette tax an additional dollar a
pack. Do you support or oppose raising cigarette taxes in Florida one dollar a
pack?

34. How effective do you think a one dollar increase in the cigarette tax
would be in reducing smoking among current smokers - very effective, somewhat
effective, not too effective, or not effective at all?

35. How effective do you think a one dollar increase in the cigarette tax
would be in discouraging young people from starting to smoke - very effective,
somewhat effective, not too effective, or not effective at all?

36. How effective do you think a one dollar increase in the cigarette tax would
be inreducing the states costs for medical care to smokers - very effective,
somewhat effective, not too effective, or not effective at all?